Best of the West — Oahu’s Original Ocean Safari
Encounter dolphins, whales, turtles, and vibrant reefs in small, relaxed, respectful, and deeply personal groups.
For 25+ years, Wild Side has set the standard for authentic, intimate O’ahu ocean adventures.
Important Tour Information
*Best naturalist led boat tour to connect with Oahu’s year-round dolphin and whales. Snorkeling with turtles over coral reefs included.
Reservations especially for holiday peaks and winter humpback whale seasons are recommended to be made at least two weeks ahead of time. We will take ‘last minute’ bookings if we have space (and may even have discounted ‘standby’ seats). It’s worth a try!
Where the wild things are…
3+ hrs. includes (Mother Nature Willing):
Blue Water Swimming with Wild Dolphins and Whales
With pre-encounter briefings on dolphin “wet-iquette (how to swim with wild dolphins and small whales)”. Expert in-water guides, keep encounters safe and sane for both dolphins and you. Finding pelagic seabirds and other wildlife feeding are often a dead giveaway as to where the dolphins are.
Humpbacks aren’t the only whales in Hawaii. Summer is a great time for pilot whales and pygmy killer whales, residents of our coastline. Exclusive blue-water whale encounters give access to up to 18 species of toothed dolphins, 6 baleen whales, and 22 species of seabirds in Hawaii – including rare and often endemic species.
Guided Snorkeling Tour
Guided Snorkeling TourSnorkel with sea turtles and tropical reef fish, many found only in Hawaii. Led by expert guides, our tours offer an immersive and educational adventure for snorkelers of all skill levels. With your personal in-water guide, you won’t miss a thing. Whether you’re a novice snorkeler or an experienced enthusiast, our guides provide personalized instruction and safety tips to ensure the best experience – and a warm fresh water shower right on the top deck to boot!
Expert Educated Crew
Certified naturalists and wildlife biologists. You not only see and hear wildlife, but will know and care about it.
Mālama Hawaiʻi with Citizen Science
Help gather data on whales, dolphins, marine debris etc. encountered. We may also record and report sightings of coral bleaching, ghost nets or even whale sharks! We’ve been submitting photo ids to catalogs of Hawaii’s marine mammals since 2002. Our data helped the Hawaiian false killer whales gain endangered species status in 2012.
The Hale Kai
Bow riding dolphins? Check. Looking down between the hulls is like a glass bottom boat – or sit in our shaded cabin, up top on flybridge, or warm in the sun of the roomy deck. Ample dry storage down below (bring your good camera, or let our photographer grab the shots!), private bathroom and a fresh water shower!
Notice: Although our sighting rates are at 95+% we do not guarantee sightings, interaction with wild dolphins, whales, snorkeling, nor ideal weather conditions. We reserve the right to not facilitate in-water OR shipboard encounters which we feel may compromise the well-being of our guests or ocean wildlife. We do not offer transportation to the boat harbor.